Zooma Race Recap

I have been dreading writing this race recap. I’ve been back from Zooma for weeks now. I was super pumped for this race. I mean look at all the perks:

• Entry into an unforgettable, professionally-managed and timed half marathon or 10K race
• Access to a full weekend of yoga, sponsored cocktail hour, and a Fitness Expo
• ZOOMA Signature Swag Bag, including a cute tech tee, yoga mat, reusable bag, and stainless steel water bottle (over $50 value)
• Water and Cytomax Sports Performance drinks on the course
• Water, Cytomax Sports Performance drinks, Muscle Milk Light, and food at the finish line
• GU Energy Gel station along the course
• Wine from Barefoot Wine & Bubbly at the After-Party Expo
• Necklace designed exclusively by Satya Jewelry for ZOOMA for all finishers
• Post-race massage, shopping and live music at the ZOOMA After-Party Expo

I mean COME ON AMIE!!

Have you ever ran a Zooma? Here’s the back ground:

Run the newest women’s fitness event in Chicago! Join us for a full weekend of serious racing and serious celebration–including sponsored mocktail hours, yoga, film screenings, and fun times with running friends.
A half marathon and 10K start and finish in scenic Montrose Harbor, with views of the Chicago skyline. A scenic and flat course will give you a tour of the lakefront. After the finish line, there’s serious celebration with wine, massage, live music, shopping and fun at the lakefront park of Montrose Harbor, with access to the beach and swimming.

Marcia and I traveled to Chicago bright and early Friday morning. Of course we made a pit stop at the Outlet Mall before checking into our hotel.

The Hotel: We felt like were living with the rich and famous. The hotel was nothing short of fabulous!

The host hotel was the Langham..



Located in the heart of downtown Chicago overlooking the Chicago River and Lake Michigan, the hotel is an iconic landmark on the city’s skyline. It is just steps from the Magnificent Mile, Millennium Park, great dining and shopping. The average guest room is over 500 sq. ft. (among the largest in the city) and will comfortably accommodate and pamper you and your gal pal for the weekend.

Have you seen the movie Richie Rich? You know the scene when he gets in the hotel room and totally looses his mind?

That was Marcia and I in a nutshell. We were opening and closing cabinets, trying on robes, ringing the door bell to our room, checking out the “hidden wall”, the waterfall shower, the fully stocked bar (which included coconut water) and the finest wine and wine glasses. It was amazing and a tad bit overpriced. It was one of those “look but you better not touch; otherwise you were purchasing a $7.00 fun size bag of chips.

Once we composed ourselves we headed over to the expo. Eh, it was just ok. We were a little star struck when we saw Sara Hall. (Of course M had to point her out to me and say “um, she’s a big deal”) She was so down to earth and so sweet. I think I want to be here for Halloween.

We had calm evening, dinner a glass of wine and headed off to bed pretty early Friday night. Race time was 7am.

We woke with the birds, did our normal routine and headed to the shuttle.

Let the mind games start.

You can do this Amie, put your mind to it go for it, you got this. You know, totally pumping myself up.

We head to the start line, and we are off. I shot out like a dang banshee. Gone.

Miles 1-6 we absolutely beautiful, running by the water was memorizing to me. I found my pace and things we golden. I kept saying stay in front of the 2:00 pacers.

Mile 7-13.1 Nightmare on Elm Street.

I think that’s why I dreaded writing this post. You know sometimes it’s hard to admit where you fail. I totally failed in my training with this race. I could use the excuses that I let life get in the way, I didn’t make time, the race was too crowded and confusing, it was too hot, I was dehydrated. But it all comes down to the fact that I didn’t train like I should have.

At mile 7 hit a wall. (really? Amie mile 7) I’m talking full on heat stroke. (Ok that’s a slight exaggeration) I just wanted to finish.

I didn’t even look at my finished time. I really don’t want to look nor do I care.

Lesson learned: Motivation will take you to mile 6 in less than 60mins. Training will take you to mile 13.1 in under 2:00.

All things aside, I did learn there are bad races and there are good races. No more dwelling on this.

So what if it was a bad race, I got a weekend away with Marcia and we had a great time.